France's 'Avian Influenza' Hits Production ↓... Foie Gras Disappearing from Restaurants

Controversy Over Animal Abuse Leads to Consumption Decline... Compounded by 'Avian Influenza' Setback

The production of duck and goose liver, the main ingredients of foie gras, is gradually decreasing. The photo above is unrelated to the content. Photo by Asia Economy

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Se-eun] CNN reported that foie gras, one of the world's three great delicacies, is disappearing from the menus of French restaurants.

Foie gras is a dish made from the liver of ducks and geese, but recently, consumption has declined once due to animal rights activists' claims that the traditional method of force-feeding their livers is 'animal cruelty.'

Moreover, as avian influenza struck Europe, the production volume of raw materials on farms itself has decreased.

Pascal Lombard, chef of the Michelin 1-star restaurant 'Le 1862' located in southern France, said, "It has been about a month since we started eating less foie gras, and from this week, we have not been able to eat it at all."

The P?rigord region in France, where the restaurant is located, has been the epicenter of the avian influenza outbreak in recent months.

The French Ministry of Agriculture culled 16 million poultry to prevent the spread since the first outbreak of avian influenza in November.

The foie gras industry called this an 'unprecedented figure' and forecasted that production this year could decrease by up to 50%.

Industry insiders explained that migratory birds traveling to and from Africa every year cause seasonal avian influenza. This year, as migratory birds began moving in spring, they struck the western Pays de la Loire and southwestern P?rigord regions, major poultry production areas in France.

Other European foie gras producing countries are also facing similar crises, making imports difficult. Cases of avian influenza have been reported across Europe, including Spain, Belgium, Bulgaria, and Hungary, since October last year.

The industry is working hard on isolation and vaccination to end avian influenza as soon as possible and recover production. To avoid contact with the virus, poultry have been moved indoors and their numbers reduced to ensure sufficient space.

Also, with the target eradication date for avian influenza set for next year, two types of vaccines are undergoing clinical trials, but it does not seem easy.

Lombard is developing new menu items to replace foie gras.

He said, "Many products are running out due to avian influenza and the Ukraine war," adding, "2022 will be a year of consuming more vegetables and eating less meat."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.